FLVADAD

Having made the rounds quite a few times over the years, I believe the nature of routine interaction with a school's administrators and staff actually says a lot about the school itself -- not always, but definitely most of the time this is true.

That said, I just wanted to point out that D and I have had quite a bit of communication with W&L administrators and staff members, and without exception, they have all been absolutely fantastic to deal with! Whether related to admissions, ordering from the bookstore, inquiries D has made into various departments etc., all have been very responsive, friendly, and enthusiastic. Really outstanding.

Esquette

We have had the same experience -- both during admissions and afterward, as S is now completing his sophomore yr. The campus is home to people who love the W&L community and honor its "speaking tradition" - from deans to frat chefs to campus security. As S sees it, W&L is "life as it should be."

lindz126

After reading both of your posts I was inspired to connect with staff--so I called an admissions counselor with some questions I had---and I'm so glad I did. I was having some minor anxiety about W & L simply because it was unknown to me. (We visited quite a few schools--but not W & L--(son went alone to Johnson s). Jenny Ratzel was a pleasure ot talk with--answered all my ?'s (10 total) can you tell my son is my oldest? :-D and offered her own personal experience and insight. My son wants to do the Leading edge program and upon hearing her description so do I. amazing...

Esquette-- I love what your son said "life as it should be" that is beautiful...

Esquette

S loved his Leading Edge experience. Did not get his first or second choice - but was glad bc he had an amazing experience at Roanoke poverty program. Great way to start college life. Met people he's still very close friends with, ended up in same frat as one of his student advisors.

W&L will have same move-in and parent O for students going on pre-O programs as they have for regular freshman move-in -- and there are plenty so Lee Chapel was packed even for us early birds.

Motherdear

Jenny Ratzel is a lovely young woman. She was the team captain during my D's freshman year. She was an excellent role model and was always available to talk to any and all of her teammates.

lindz126

motherdear--thanks for sharing that--yes Jenny was delightful to talk with--how does your daughter like W & L?

Motherdear

My daughter likes W&L. She was attracted to the school due to the politics program. She is a very busy person and has honed her time-mgmt skills accordingly.

She did not do a Pre-O program because her team training schedule conflicted. If she hadn't been doing a sport, she was going to do the community service project that met in Lexington.

The one thing I would recommend for freshman dorm life would be to buy a couple of room fans. The weather will be hot and sticky for at least a couple of weeks on either end of the academic year and there is no AC in the freshman dorms.

Motherdear

A sidebar, if our 2 kids hadn't opted to go to W&L, I wouldn't have met a fellow W&L parent and I wouldn't have my now-favorite email buddy. Our kids run around in different circles, have different interests, yet they both have enjoyed and been enriched by the W&L experience.